ACLU of Vermont Publishes Voter Guide Ahead of 2024 Primary Election

60 candidates sign Smart Justice Pledge, promising to invest in people and communities—not prisons

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 25, 2024

Contact: Emily Hagan-Howe, Communications Director, ACLU of Vermont, [email protected], 802-223-6304 x121

(Montpelier, VT) – The ACLU of Vermont published its 2024 Primary Election Voter Guide today, featuring responses from 63 candidates running for the Vermont House of Representatives and the Vermont Senate. With questions ranging from economic and racial justice to police accountability and criminal legal reform, this resource aims to foster greater transparency and accountability from candidates for office and to empower Vermonters to vote their values in the primary election on August 13th.

Falko Schilling, Advocacy Director, ACLU of Vermont: “Our civil rights and civil liberties are on the line this November, which makes it more important than ever that Vermont voters know who is on the ballot and what they plan to do if elected. When it comes to our most basic rights and freedoms, it is critical that we elect leaders to the State House who will take bold action to make Vermont a place where everyone can thrive, no matter what happens in Washington.”

Candidates were asked by the ACLU of Vermont to share their position on seven key issue areas: housing, harm reduction, school funding safeguards, economic justice, police accountability, racial justice, and criminal legal reform. The questions were sent on June 25th to all candidates registered with the Secretary of State for the Vermont House and Senate August 13th primaries.

• 60 respondents pledged to be a Smart Justice candidate. Smart Justice candidates “support policies that reduce Vermont’s prison population and the racial disparities in our criminal legal system and oppose policies that are likely to increase prison populations and racial disparities in the criminal legal system.” Only one candidate answered “No” to the Smart Justice pledge (S. Ledbetter, Chittenden Central – Senate).
• 60 candidates expressed support for a range of civil liberties, including Housing First policies that address homelessness with evidence-based solutions; legislation ensuring public education funds are not used to support institutions that discriminate against LGBTQ+ students; and, policies to strengthen police accountability in our communities.
• Candidates for office in several high-profile, contested primaries responded to the survey, including:
  • Chittenden-Central Senate race;
  • Chittenden-13 House race;
  • Windsor Senate race;
  • Windham-7 House race.

James Lyall, Executive Director, ACLU of Vermont: “We are heartened to see so many candidates for office committed to advancing the courageous, compassionate, and evidence-based solutions our communities need. No matter who wins in August and November, the ACLU looks forward to partnering with lawmakers to advance the rights and liberties of everyone who calls Vermont home and build on our progress towards needed investments in our communities.”

The ACLU’s voter guide is available at acluvt.org/2024primary. Voters can confirm their registration status, request an absentee ballot, view a sample ballot and more at mvp.vermont.gov.